AWS PowerShell module - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the AWS PowerShell module used for?

It is used to manage AWS services and resources directly from PowerShell commands, allowing automation and scripting of AWS tasks.

beginner

How do you install the AWS PowerShell module?

Run the command Install-Module -Name AWSPowerShell.NetCore in PowerShell to install the module from the PowerShell Gallery.

intermediate

What command is used to set AWS credentials in PowerShell?

Use Set-AWSCredential -AccessKey YOUR_ACCESS_KEY -SecretKey YOUR_SECRET_KEY -StoreAs PROFILE_NAME to save credentials securely for later use.

beginner

How can you list all S3 buckets using AWS PowerShell module?

Use the command Get-S3Bucket to retrieve a list of all your S3 buckets in your AWS account.

intermediate

What is the purpose of the Initialize-AWSDefaultConfiguration cmdlet?

It sets the default AWS region and profile for your PowerShell session, so you don't have to specify them in every command.

Which command installs the AWS PowerShell module?

A New-AWSModule

B Install-Module -Name AWSPowerShell.NetCore

C Get-AWSPowerShell

D Import-Module AWS

The correct command to install the AWS PowerShell module is Install-Module -Name AWSPowerShell.NetCore.

How do you securely save AWS credentials for reuse in PowerShell?

A Add-AWSCredential

B Save-AWSCredentials

C Set-AWSCredential -AccessKey ... -SecretKey ... -StoreAs PROFILE_NAME

D New-AWSProfile

Use Set-AWSCredential with the -StoreAs parameter to save credentials securely.

Which cmdlet lists all S3 buckets in your AWS account?

A Get-S3Bucket

B List-S3Buckets

C Show-S3Buckets

D Get-AWSS3

Get-S3Bucket is the correct cmdlet to list all S3 buckets.

What does Initialize-AWSDefaultConfiguration do?

A Sets default AWS region and profile for the session

B Creates a new AWS user

C Deletes AWS credentials

D Starts an AWS EC2 instance

It sets the default AWS region and profile so you don't have to specify them every time.

Which of these is NOT a valid way to authenticate AWS PowerShell commands?

A Using stored credentials with Set-AWSCredential

B Using environment variables AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID and AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY

C Using IAM roles when running on EC2

D Using Windows user account password

Windows user account passwords are not used for AWS authentication.

Explain how to install and configure the AWS PowerShell module for managing AWS resources.

Think about the steps from installation to ready-to-use setup.

Describe how you would list all your S3 buckets using PowerShell and what prerequisites are needed.

Consider what must be done before running the command.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of the AWS PowerShell module?

easy

A. To replace the AWS Management Console entirely

B. To create Windows PowerShell scripts only for local tasks

C. To develop desktop applications for AWS

D. To manage AWS services using PowerShell commands

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AWS PowerShell module purpose

   The module allows managing AWS services through PowerShell commands, enabling automation and scripting.

2. Step 2: Compare options with module purpose

   Only To manage AWS services using PowerShell commands correctly states this purpose; others describe unrelated or incorrect uses.

3. Final Answer:

   To manage AWS services using PowerShell commands -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   AWS PowerShell module = Manage AWS with PowerShell [OK]

Hint: AWS PowerShell module = AWS service management via PowerShell [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it only works locally without AWS connection
• Confusing it with AWS Management Console
• Assuming it builds desktop apps

2. Which command correctly imports the AWS PowerShell module in your session?

easy

A. Import-Module AWS.Tools.Common

B. Import-AWSModule

C. Load-Module AWS.Tools

D. Start-Module AWS.Tools.Common

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct PowerShell import syntax

   The correct command to import a module is Import-Module followed by the module name.

2. Step 2: Match AWS module import command

   Import-Module AWS.Tools.Common uses correct syntax and module name 'AWS.Tools.Common'. Other options use invalid cmdlets or incorrect names.

3. Final Answer:

   Import-Module AWS.Tools.Common -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Import-Module + module name = correct import [OK]

Hint: Use Import-Module with exact AWS module name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect cmdlet names like Import-AWSModule
• Confusing Load-Module or Start-Module with Import-Module
• Misspelling module names

3. What will the following PowerShell command output if your AWS credentials are set correctly?

Get-STSCallerIdentity | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Account

medium

A. An error saying command not found

B. The AWS account ID associated with your credentials

C. The list of all AWS regions

D. The current IAM user name

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Get-STSCallerIdentity cmdlet

   This cmdlet returns details about the AWS identity used, including the Account property.

2. Step 2: Analyze Select-Object usage

   Select-Object with -ExpandProperty Account extracts and outputs only the AWS account ID string.

3. Final Answer:

   The AWS account ID associated with your credentials -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Get-STSCallerIdentity + Account property = AWS account ID [OK]

Hint: Get-STSCallerIdentity shows your AWS account info [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting user name instead of account ID
• Thinking it lists regions
• Assuming command fails without credentials

4. You run this command but get an error: Get-S3Bucket is not recognized. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The S3 service is down

B. Your AWS credentials are incorrect

C. AWS PowerShell module is not imported

D. You need to restart PowerShell

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand error meaning

   Error 'command not recognized' means PowerShell does not know the cmdlet, usually because the module is not loaded.

2. Step 2: Check other causes

   Incorrect credentials or service downtime cause different errors; restarting PowerShell is rarely needed if module is imported.

3. Final Answer:

   AWS PowerShell module is not imported -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Cmdlet not recognized = module missing [OK]

Hint: Import AWS module before using its cmdlets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming credentials for cmdlet not found error
• Assuming service downtime causes this error
• Restarting PowerShell unnecessarily

5. You want to list all EC2 instances in the 'us-east-1' region using AWS PowerShell. Which command correctly sets the region and retrieves the instances?

hard

A. Set-DefaultAWSRegion -Region us-east-1; Get-EC2Instance

B. Get-EC2Instance -RegionName us-east-1

C. Set-AWSRegion us-east-1; Get-EC2Instance

D. Get-EC2Instance | Where-Object { $_.Region -eq 'us-east-1' }

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to set AWS region in PowerShell

   The cmdlet to set default region is Set-DefaultAWSRegion with -Region parameter.

2. Step 2: Retrieve EC2 instances after setting region

   After setting region, Get-EC2Instance fetches instances in that region. Set-DefaultAWSRegion -Region us-east-1; Get-EC2Instance correctly chains these commands.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Get-EC2Instance -RegionName us-east-1 uses invalid parameter '-RegionName'; Set-AWSRegion us-east-1; Get-EC2Instance uses a non-existent cmdlet; Get-EC2Instance | Where-Object { $_.Region -eq 'us-east-1' } filters instances locally but region info is not a direct property.

4. Final Answer:

   Set-DefaultAWSRegion -Region us-east-1; Get-EC2Instance -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Set region first, then get instances [OK]

Hint: Set region with Set-DefaultAWSRegion before commands [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong cmdlet to set region
• Passing -Region directly to Get-EC2Instance
• Filtering region locally without setting it